times and shooting him in the head. the defense may call arias to the stand this week. legal analyst dan abrams says that move could be a big gamble. >> on the one hand, by calling

jodi arias, you are increasing the chances she could get a lesser conviction and also increasing the chances she gets the death penalty. >> reporter: she said they broke up but continued a sexual relationship. prosecutors have shown the jury gruesome evidence from the crime scene, including a picture of alexander in the shower, just before they say he was murdered. the prosecutor says she killed him in a fit of jealous rage. arias' lawyers say she was the victim of abuse by alexander. her story has changed a few times. first she told police she wasn't there. >> i'm not a murderer. >> reporter: then arias says she was there, but intruders did it. >> it wasn't me. >> reporter: timely she admitted to killing him but says it was self-defense. h >> if yesterday she was ready to say i did it and today she wants me to buy a crock called

self-defense? >> reporter: whether or not she testifies on her own behalf, her fate lies with an arizona jury. she could face the death penalty if convicted. >> some of this bears repeating. her lawyers have to explain why she brought a gun to the tryst. took pictures of him after he was dead, tried to destroy the camera in a washing machine and then fled. >> and then first said she had no involvement in it. then staid she was there and intruders did it. and now, it was either a situation of kill or be killed because it was self-defense. >> once they change their story, isn't that a huge red flag? >> it's really difficult. but the big issue everyone is wondering is will she testify? yes, they're going to have domestic violence experts, but in a self-defense case i don't know how you prove it if you don't get on the stand. because the other person that was there is dead.

so you have to get on the witness stand and explain to this jury that it was a kill or be killed situation. he's a really big guy and she's a little person. she can be very charming. your job as a defense attorney is to make sure she doesn't get death. >> exactly. it's just weird if it was self-defense, i think the reaction would be to get out of dodge, not to sit there, take pictures and put the camera in the cashing machine. it isn't exactly a kodak moment. new york yankees slugger a-rod is denying new allegations that he used performance enhancing drugs. that denial comes after a newspaper in miami reported that rodriguez is named in the records of a south florida clinic that sold illegal drugs to athletes. rodriguez and the doctor named in the report both deny being involved with the drugs and with each other. major league baseball is now investigating. the mastermind of the hoax

that ensnared manti te'o will appear on dr. phil's show tomorrow. the lawyer says tuiasosopo wanted to tell the truth as a way of healing. >> apparently the attorney is denying whether the client decided to play act for te'o or had known him as his real self. >> i think you said earlier, really, i think the big question is why would someone carry it on for so long? yes, maybe you admire this football star and you want to get to know him. but a year? months and months and on the phone for eight hours? >> it's a long way to go for a hoax. we'll see what he tells to dr. phil.

an update now on barbara walters. we are happy to report this morning that barbara has been discharged from the hospital and she is recovering. she's getting stronger, of course, after suffering from a bout with chickenpox at home. barbara has been in the hospital since falling at a preinaugural party. >> wonderful news. >> great news here. strong lady at 83, that's for sure. some big-time dedication to her team is the reason why this is our favorite story of the day. it's all about a baltimore ravens fan who had cold feet. >> that's right. laura may have been trying on her purple wedding down in baltimore, but she took her time getting into it. her fiance proposed in 2010. she said she wouldn't get married until the ravens made the super bowl. >> she'll wear that dress to her wedding in new orleans on sunday and then wearing the dress to the game. that's what i call a fan. that's a super fan.

>> that is loyalty. i like it. that is a super fan. i agree with that. >> she should get some sort of award or special seat. she's going to wear that purple dress and that is just going to be in her pictures forever. >> if the husband stands her up, she can always marry prince. she's ready for a purple rain kind of wedding. coming up, the remarkable super bowl story about two players who call themselves "brothers in life." later, why some of the most beautiful celebrities around are being photographed without makeup. you're watching "world news now." [ female announcer ] going to sleep may be easy, but when you wake up in the middle of the night it can be frustrating. it's hard to turn off and go back to sleep. intermezzo is the first and only prescription sleep aid approved for use as needed in the middle of the night when you can't get back to sleep.

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a walk on the beach turned deadly for a california woman when a huge wave seemed to come out of nowhere and swept her away. >> the wave that took her life is called a sneaker wave and so far this winter, they are responsible for five deaths. abc's neal karlinsky has the story. >> reporter: it's no surprise they're called sneaker waves. one look at the ones that have been captured on camera and you can see how suddenly they sweep in, knocking people hanging around otherwise peaceful shorelines, off their feet. it's exactly what happened to 32-year-old susan archer, swept away while walking along with her boyfriend and dog, trigger, along this northern california beach. >> you have to be careful of big waves. and we knew it and it just happened. >> reporter: he says it was the

same walk they took every day, only this time the wave came. >> trigger had gone around the trigger and by the time i was getting around the corner, i saw her going out already. >> reporter: this time of year from northern california to the washington coast, a simple walk on the beach can be deadly for those not keeping a close eye on the churning seas, which whip up these sneaker waves. sneaker waves are so dangerous because they arrive as part of a smaller wave train. at first glance, it looks like a series of normal waves, until a much bigger, and stronger sneaker wave emerges, catching everyone around unaware. bob gibson survived one in oregon. >> my thought was, this cannot be happening to me. >> reporter: since november in northern california, two more sneaker waves. one killing a man on a walk with his wife. the other leaving a couple and their 16-year-old son drowned. >> never, never, never turn your

back on the ocean and never get really close to it. >> reporter: neal karlinsky, abc news, seattle. >> these mainly happen in northern california, oregon and washington state. be careful. >> that's terrifying. >> oh, man. mother nature works in mysterious, dangerous ways. >> sneaker wave. had no idea. >> now you know. we'll be right back after this. stay with us. @ñ

♪ everyone of the players who take to the field in the super bowl on sunday will probably take a moment to be amazed at how far they have come. >> two young men, one from each team, will likely be among the most astonished. because their beginnings held so little promise. here's abc's steve osansami.

>> reporter: two of their best players, who aren't brothers by birth, but brothers in life. >> big mike, why were you going to the jim? >> because it's warm. >> reporter: the son of abject poverty and a broken home, who found football thanks to the kindness of strangers. >> never had one before. >> what, a room to yourself? >> a bed. >> reporter: today, he's an offensive tackle for baltimore. >> leeann was the first one that ever told me she loved me. i mean, i never heard that before. >> reporter: patrick willis was his teammate at ole miss and travelled the same difficult road. >> this is where the game of football started for me. i wouldn't afford to play peewee

football. >> reporter: the 28-year-old line backer for the 49ers is considered one of the best in the business today. he escaped an abusive father in rural, tennessee who beat him with pots and pans. both orr and willis were adopted by white families who had to explain themselves to the neighbors. >> yeah, web help them. everybody at the time was like, you don't have a clue what you're doing. >> reporter: the two have become life-long friends and outside practice today they told us how much they still truly love their adoptive parents. >> they've been there through the good and bad, the crazy years. so just to have him here this weekend to enjoy this experience is a blessing. >> it's truly amazing, knowing where we came from and it made us work a lot harder, i never take anything for grant it. >> reporter: no matter who wins the ring, they believe that greatness is not what they've

achieved but what they've overcome. steve osunsami, abc news, atlanta. >> we really want to see your team spirit before sunday's super bowl. so send us pictures displaying your team pride. >> that's right. show some creativity and you know what? maybe a little cleavage as you wear your favorite football garb. it's cool. it's good. >> i love this show. you'll kind the e-mail and twitter information on our fan page. get a little crazy, folks. >> they can show some cleaves. why keep it clean for the super bowl? >> this is a dirty, nasty show. so show us what you're working with. don't be scared. just go ahead and do it. i do love that last story because of the human kindness

involved and it crosses racial boundaries. very cool stuff. we'll be back with more right after this. don't go far. yield to restful sleep. s nights and lunesta®(eszopiclone) can help you get there. like it has for so many people before. when taking lunesta, don't drive or operate machinery until you feel fully awake. walking, eating, driving, or engaging in other activities while asleep, without remembering it the next day, have been reported. lunesta should not be taken together with alcohol. abnormal behaviors may include aggressiveness, agitation, hallucinations, or confusion. in depressed patients, worsening of depression, including risk of suicide, may occur. alcohol may increase these risks. allergic reactions such as tongue or throat swelling occur rarely and may be fatal. side effects may include unpleasant taste, headache, dizziness, and morning drowsiness. ask your doctor if lunesta is right for you. then find out how to get lunesta for as low as fifteen dollars at lunesta.com. there's a land of restful sleep.

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not just a sensation, sensational relief. ♪ finally, actresses caught baring it all. some of the hottest leading ladies around have agreed to be photographed without something they usually don't want to be caught dead without, and that would be makeup. >> could it be a trend? abc's linsey davis investigated and even put herself to the test. >> reporter: some of hollywood's hottest ladies went au naturale, that is from the shoulder up, posing without any makeup.

stripped down stars kristen stewart, nicole kidman, among others, ditched the mascara for a revealing look. they're not the first celebs to unmask. lady gaga appeared with no makeup in 2011. jessica simpson in may 2010. and other celebrities also posed for "people" magazine. even everyday women are finding a sense of freedom exposing what lies beneath, getting rid of the daily routine. katie couric interviewed an author who documented her life without makeup for an entire year. >> makeup and hair products would go, and i caught off my hair. >> reporter: never won to turn down a dare, i bare it all, stripping off the makeup on one side to reveal the differences

it can make. it's like a before and after. dermatologists say going without makeup can help your skin look and feel better. >> at least once a week, you should not wear makeup at all and take every trace of makeup off every night. >> reporter: dermatologists caution women on the downside of constantly wearing makeup. foundation can block pores. dark eye shadow can cause rash. and wearing dark lipstick overtime can cause cysts. but being in public without anything on your face can feel rather naked. >> she still looks great. >> she does. >> i was a newspaper guy before i got into tv six years ago. the worst part about it is the makeup. i don't like it. >> i don't wear makeup when i'm not here. i don't wear makeup on the weekends. >> y'all do this all the time and i donnell do it for tv, but i don't like it. >> but you need it! >> willis says he needs it.

now," soldier's gift. the wounded warrior who lost all four of his limbs in the iraq war shows off what surgeons have given him. >> two transplanted arms. the amazing operation and the young man so grateful for a new beginning. it's wednesday, january 30th. >> from abc news, this is "world news now." >> good wednesday morning. happy hump day, everybody. we're getting there. i'm rob nelson. >> and i'm sunny hostin. that soldier has already put his new arms to use, and you'll see how in our top story. it's really just a miracle story. i love this story. >> the only thing more impressive than the doctors is that guy's spirit. >> absolutely.

and also this morning, president obama's push for immigration reform. now members of the senate must search for common ground in their goal to help 11 million undocumented immigrants. later this half hour, hillary clinton's long list of accomplishments as she gets ready to leave her job. what are her immediate and long-term plans? >> it's the long-term plans -- >> that will fuel a lot of >> that's right. and in some parts of the country, you are what you drive. what was this guy thinking when he decided to build a car that looks kind of like anabanana? >> kind of? it's not your average honda civic. but first, new details of that rare operation which gave an iraqi war vet new arms.

the 26-year-old new yorker showed off his transplanted arms just yesterday. >> abc's diana perez reports on this milestone operation. >> reporter: his story is one of bravy and heroism. he lost both arms and legs in iraq four years ago. a roadside bomb blew up the humvee he was driving. >> i'm still alive. that's all that matters to me. >> reporter: still, life without limbs was not the same. >> not having arms takes so much away from you. >> reporter: so when doctors in maryland approached the 26-year-old about a double arm transplant, he didn't hesitate. >> i've overcome so much in the last four years that i really honestly wasn't worried about the risk. >> reporter: the transplant team seen here, connected bones, blood vessels, muscles, tendons, nerves and skins. the surgery, the most complicated performed in the

u.s. ever. and the first words he uttered to doctors the afterward? >> i was happy that the surgery was over and i had arms. yeah, i love you was the first thing i said. >> reporter: today he still does not have full range motion, but we watched him wheel himself in to talk to reporters. >> it's like i went back four years and i'm me again. >> reporter: now he's sharing that positive attitude with other amputees. >> to not give up hope. >> reporter: his doctors say the nerves in his arms and hands will regeneral rate at the rate of one inch per month. so it will take between two to three years before he can fully use his new limbs. >> amazed by that regeneration stat in terms of how quickly he'll progress. >> and he's already feeling some -- he has some feeling in one arm, which is remarkable. and he's only the 7th person in

the u.s. to have this double -- successful double arm transplant, which is also remarkable. >> whether it's a traumatic injury or cancer, it's the person's spirit that makes the difference. if you say i'm going to beat this thing and you have friends and family who love you, that makes a world of difference between life and death versus walking in and saying i give up. clearly his spirit is strong. that's why he's going to have a great recovery. we're praying for you, sir, absolutely. to other news this morning, the stocks are trading near record territory when the markets open this morning. the dow posted its seventh advance in eight days. investors were in a buying mood on news that the housing market in this country is recovering and strong earnings reports, as well. most of asia's markets are trading higher, as well. in asia this morning, new tensions on the korean

peninsula. south korea has just launched a satellite into orbit, its first success in three tries. you may remember last week, north korea warned they are preparing a new nuclear test and another rocket launch of their own. a peace envoy is painting a grim picture of the scene in syria, telling the u.n. security council it needs to act as the country is destroyed "bit by bit." a graphic example of syria's civil war, government troops and opposition forces still battling at an airport. underneather side is gaining ground. an estimated 60,000 people have died since the uprising began almost once year ago. egypt appears headed towards the same kind of chaos, as there are increasing demands for the president to step down. protesters played football and danced in the streets to defy the president's curfew. shops are also open after that curfew, even though there are fears of a civil war. confirmation hearings begin

tomorrow for chuck hagel. he's expected to face tough questions on a range of issues, including his ideas about eliminating nuclear weapons. hagel supports an international movement called global zero that favors eliminating all such weapons. political insiders say it looked more like a campaign event than a presidential speech. president obama pushed for immigration reform before an enthusiastic crowd in las vegas yesterday. his proposal is very similar to one being put forth by a group of bipartisan senators. >> action must follow. we can't allow immigration reform to get bogged down in an endless debate. and obviously, this is -- there's certainly -- the chances are higher now that something is going to happen on this issue

compared to years past. the biggest hurdle, though, is that folks who aren't too crazy about this idea are saying in order for these things to happen, let's focus on border security. if all these folks will just flood into the country, it makes no difference what we're doing on the legislative side of things. so border patrol at the same time we're creating this pathway. >> but something is going to be done. at this point, given the number of latinos that voted in this election, both sides of the aisle realize this is a voting bloc they need desperately. >> president obama promised this in '08 and didn't really touch it. he even admitted not tackling immigration reform was his biggest failure of the first term. so something will get done.

they're hoping by the summer. in other news this morning, a wild line of storms is ripping across a wide area of the country from texas to the midwest. at least three tornadoes touched down. a twister in arkansas in fact snapped trees and powerlines, causing property damage and thousands of power outages with winds hitting 80 miles an hour. for many cities, the weather has turned upside down, they are wearing shorts in january in madison, wisconsin. temperatures usually hover ere the 20s this time of year. today, madison is expecting 8 inches of snow and temperatures in the single digits. >> shorts? >> that's how people get sick. it's weird. >> here's the rest of your wednesday weather. snowstorms in much of michigan. violent storms from new orleans to pittsburgh. moving east this evening from atlanta to new england and snow

in the northern rockies and cascades. >> 40s from boise to albuquerque. 20s in the central plains. 6 below in fargo and 60s from new orleans to the big apple. >> i'm going to enjoy 60. >> it's going to be nice today. don't get used to it. the next time you're cruising the highways and byways of our great nation, keep an eye out for this, the so-called big banana carp. >> the oddly shaped week was designed by an adventurous guy. it's actually a ford f-150. >> he said he was inspired after seeing a banana in a fruit bowl. he thought he was the perfect shape and pictured it rolling down the road. he's taking it now on a world tour. >> it doesn't have a top. >> maybe he hasn't made one. it's good in nice weather.

>> you may have have issues. >> would you never drive something like that? or a little too far out for you? >> it may be a little too far out for me. but i may take a little spin in it. i think it looks cool. >> good for him, i guess. coming up next, one of the biggest pizza deliveries in history. >> and celebrating hillary clinton's many accomplishments and tough questions about her political future. you're watching "world news now."

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we can help you go there on the wings of lunesta. welcome back, everybody. the year's first congressional hearing on gun control begins this morning on capitol hill. the nra is expected to tell lawmakers that an assault weapons ban and back ground checks are not serious efforts to stem gun violence. gabby gifford's husband, mark

kelly, is also expected to testify at the hearing. in trenton, new jersey, authorities are touting the haul of weapons now off the streets thanks to a gun buyback program, bringing in 2600 hand guns. someone even hurn r turned in a rocket launcher. the state paid out $324,000 for the weapons, no questions asked. a federal court is upholding san francisco's new nudity ban, so keep it under wraps. a judge ruled the ordinance does not violate first amendment rights. activists argued the right to strip down is a freedom of expression. the ban covers public areas across san francisco and goes into effect friday. a mowmento from mickey mantdle's baseball career. just 536 so-called career rings were made. one for each of his home runs. the one in question belonged to

his youngest son and it was stolen from his home in texas in 2007 and resurfaced at a pawnshop. an appraiser figured it was stolen. they followed a trail to a guy already in custody. >> that ring is going to go back to mickey's son, dan. >> as it should. >> they have agreed not to file charges or name anyone involved in the whole ordeal. they just want the jewelry back. so there it the. what a collection of jewelry. and still ahead, hillary clinton, the exit interview as she prepares to step down friday as secretary of state. what's next >> "nightline's" cynthia mcfadden asks will she be the one to break through

♪ on saturday morning, for the first time in many, many years, hillary clinton will not have a job. friday is her last day as secretary of state. >> as she prepares for what's next, she sat down with abc's own cynthia mcfadden. >> reporter: she's been secretary of state for four years. visited 112 countries. more than any of her predecessors. logged almost a million miles. but it's where she's going next that has everybody talking. let's just say this isn't the first time the question has come up. in moscow three years ago, you told me, i have absolutely no interest in running for president, none. you're never going to run for president again? >> i have absolutely no interest in running for president again.

none, none. >> reporter: two years ago, you said the exact same thing in australia. you said talk about the future, you said you're not running for president in 2012 or 2016. what about 2020? in the past few days, a pack called "ready for hillary" has been launched. can you still say with a straight face that you have -- that there's no way you would consider running for president? >> sitting here right now that is certainly what i believe, and i am still the secretary of state. so i'm not in politics. i'm going to be focusing on my philanthropy, my charities, my writing and speaking. so i'm forward to having something resembling a normal life again. >> reporter: can we up to maybe? >> that's very good, cynthia. well, of course, of course i am flattered and honored.

i didn't even know about some of these things happening now. i don't know how else to say it, but i am going to get back into my life again. this is going to be new for me. i don't know how i'm going to react to it, to be honest. >> reporter: when you conceded defeat in the primary, you made a famous speech. >> although we weren't able to shatter that highest, hardest glass ceiling this time, thanks to you, it's got about 18 million cracks in it. >> reporter: if it appears in the next couple of years that you might be the person who could actually break through that glass ceiling and become the first female president of this country, would you feel a certain obligation to seize that mantle? >> i do want to see that glass ceiling shattered. i don't think it has to be any particular person, but -- >> reporter: there's never been a woman who had a credible chance. it looks as if you might be that

person. i know how seriously you take commitment and obligation. >> but i'm not making any commitments and obligations because i do take them seriously. >> reporter: saturday morning, what happens? >> i hope i get to sleep in. you know, i'm thinking about that, because it will be the first time in many years when i've got no office to go to, no schedule to keep, no work to do. that will probably last a few days. then i will be up and going with my new project. >> reporter: thank you so much for talking with us. >> good to talk to you. >> people are saying we just had the inauguration for obama. >> it takes a long time to run for the highest office in the land. >> once we get to the summer of 2014, game on for 2016. so we have a year and a half, which is not a lot of time. hard to believe after the whole ordeal we just went through. >> but she has earned her right to sake saturday morning off. >> 1700 meetings with world

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♪ ♪ welcome back, everybody. this is a shout out to all you "30 rock" fans. as you probably know, the show is over. thursday is it, january 31st. so to mark the occasion, guess who is jumping in? ben and jerry's is getting ready to unveil a "30 rock" themed ice cream flavor. the co-founder is set to unveil the new ice cream and its name at a final viewing party on thursday, being held just steps away from rockefeller center. we have people speculating will it be lemon flavored? we shall see. clearly those who are missing your show can indulge in some

"30 rock" themed dessert. so congrats on a nice run for our friends over on "30 rock." >> and we have a postal worker who retires after 44 years. never took a sick day. never took a sick day. deborah ford, on january 31st of this month, she will retire from the u.s. postal service without using any of her sick days. congratulations. >> we salute that. sometimes we all just need amential health day. let's take this opportunity to give a shout out to beloved cameraman willis chambers. how long have you been at abc before you lost your earring aid? >> 31 years. >> how many sick days? >> never took a sick day. >> amazing.

which is ironic, because every day he makes me sick. also, a cool story here. biggest pizza delivery here. u.s. servicemen in afghanistan are going to get 21,000 beef dish takeaways for super bowl sunday. they're going to get flown in from chicago. this group called pizzas for patriots teaming up with dhl express to get those pizzas to the troops. 21,000 chicago style pizzas going to afghanistan and kuwait. >> and who doesn't love a good businessa? this was interesting to me. apparently how a man dances cannot only attract a lover, but can also ward off rivals. i mean, are you a good dancer? >> really. sometimes if i just begin to feel it, you got to do like fresh prince. ♪

this morning on this morning on "world news now," economic rebound. stocks are surging, approaching a milestone not seen since the beginning of the recession. >> one reason, encouraging reports about the housing market and the increasing value of your home. it's wednesday, january 30th. >> from abc news, this is "world news now." happy hump day, everybody. i'm rob nelson. good morning. >> and i'm sunny hostin. all eyes will be on wall street later this morning or positive signs about the economy. that's in our top story. so some good news, finally. >> after what, last couple of years of not so much good news. finally. everything is temporary and you never know if it's going to be sustainable.

but today, things are looking good. may be a good time to sell your home. a strange weather system is bringing tornados to the south, and a meltdown to the north, followed by drastic changes. stay tuned for accuweather. really wacky weather since october. >> it's been weird. just keep the skies clear above new orleans for the super bowl. you know what i mean? take it easy on there, mother nature. also this morning, what a way to impress your hometown. nick wallenda's high wire stunt above sarasota, florida. wait till you hear what he plans to do next. a family of truly brave people. bravery i will never know. >> i won't know it, either. i'm with you on that. >> he made it, though. later this half hour, another member of whitney houston's family is revealing new secrets about her past. yesterday we heard from her mother. and now another relative is speaking out. very, very interesting stuff. that's going to come up in "the skinny." >> the more you learn, the

sadder the story becomes. but first, stocks could surge to a record high today after more than a week of gains. >> that's right. the dow could cross the 14,000 mark for the first time since the recession hit back in 2007. this morning, overseas markets are up, after reports of a real estate rebound. here's abc's david muir. >> reporter: this spike in home prices unthinkable just two years ago. economists who studied prices across 20 american cities revealing they've seen the biggest increase year to year in more than six years, home values up 5.5%. >> we haven't seen this in probably seven years. >> reporter: what has buyers lining up? in some cases, outbidding one another? those historically low interest rates, lows not seen since the early 1970s. 10 months in a row, housing prices going up, up most in phoenix, nearly 23%. this home in scottsdale, arizona, it was listed a year

ago at $275,000. she waited until now and sold it after three days on the market. the price, $365,000, nearly $100,000 more than the value last year. also on the seller's side, there aren't many houses out there. many americans who want to sell simply won't yet. they need to wait for their home values to recover completely. many still under water on their mortgage. >> nobody wants to go to the closing table and pay the bank to get out of the house. everybody is waiting it out until the value of the home increases a little bit more. >> reporter: as they wait to sell, many builders are trying to keep up with demand. look at this image from boca raton, florida. sorry, too late. sold. doug smith, a builder in virginia, is checking in with "world news." >> we sold 43 homes in the month of january. i think it's the best january for us since 2005. >> reporter: employees returning to the job there in virginia. we loved hearing that. and economists reminding all of us that our homes are the largest investment, so when values go up, so does consumer

confidence and investor confidence and the dow closing at its highest level in five years, the best start to the years for the dow since 1989. david muir, abc news, new york. >> best start since '89. that is encouraging news. four years ago, it was like in the 7,000 range. so to be near 14,000 is important fiscally. psychologically for a lot of folks, particularly when it comes to confidence, it was down in january because folks took a hit with that payroll tax cut expiring. and in social security taxes. but still encouraging news overall. >> i wonder, the banks have these strict guidelines now. much stricter than before because of the huge banking debacle. so i wonder are they lending money to folks who want to buy a home. that's going to be an issue, i think. >> that always helps spur things on. the bank loosens its grip on the green. that tends to help. and the federal reserve expected to release a statement that could have an impact on the markets in terms of their latest economic outlook. so stay tuned for that. oil giant bp and the justice department have agreed to a

record settlement in connection with the 2010 gulf oil disaster. in addition to paying $4 billion in penalties, the company agreed to plead guilty to manslaughter for the deaths of 11 workers on the deep water horizon rig. bp could pay billions more in civil claims for environmental damage. another financial headline for you. there could be a big change coming to youtube, a paid prescription service. users would pay to access programs on youtube channels. the fee is said to be between $1 and $5 a month. youtube is also now considering charging for access to live events. the pay channel could go online next year. >> youtube charging, oh, man. weather news this morning, parts of the south and midwest are cleaning up from violent storms and they're not out of the woods just yet. twisters and severe thunderstorms with winds hitting up to 80 miles per hour, swept in from texas to illinois. a tornado in arkansas damaged homes and snapped power poles

there. thousands of folks are still without power. also, a mix of rain and melting snow is creating a mess across central michigan. rising water froze, leaving a thick sheet of ice on roads and driveways around flint. many cars and people, as you just saw, could barely make it across the slippery streets. she could have really hurt herself. >> at least she was smiling. and for many areas, the deep drop in temperatures will follow the record warmth. >> and it's especially extreme in some areas. accuweather meteorologist jim dicky has the very latest. good morning, jim. >> good morning rob and sunny. an unusual warm day expected. a strong system moving into canada, bringing a surge of warmth. plenty of rainfall with this and strong storms. temperature wise, many spots setting new record highs here today. 55 in boston. 69 degrees in the d.c. area. mid 60s in pittsburgh, as well. southeast, mild.

78 in columbia. 80s in florida. rob and sunny, back to you. >> jim, thanks a lot. we're following a developing story in alabama this morning. that's where a little boy is being held hostage. police say the alleged kidnapper boarded a school bus, shot the driver and took the 6-year-old child yesterday. that bus driver later died. now they're negotiating with the 65-year-old suspect. the year's first congressional hearing on gun control begins this morning. a spokesman for the nra is expected to tell lawmakers that an assault weapons ban and background checks are not serious efforts to stem gun violence. wayne laperriere says the focus should be on boosting security in schools, and enforcing gun laws already on the books. john kerry could be sworn in as soon as today as the next secretary of state. the massac overwhelming approval in the senate yesterday. the governor of massachusetts

announces later today who will take over kerry's seat until there's a special election. former congressman barney frank says he's interested in the temporary position. >> i think that election coming up in june. so we'll see. >> special election. >> so nice to see something get through congress smoothly. >> unbelievably smooth. >> enjoy that fleeting moment. if there was ever a story which to shout "cowabunga, dude," yeah, this is the one right here. check out big wave legend garrett mcnamara surfing what is thought to be a world record 100 foot wave off portugal. >> if it's confirmed at 100 feet, that would break the record that mcnamara holds. that is a mere 78 footer which he rode on the same beach just last year. >> he said riding big waves like that is like sliding down a bumpy mountain on a snowboard. he says your whole body, including your brain, simply rattles.

>> i would imagine that, 100 feet up in the air on a wave. and 78 feet is nothing. >> that's crazy. >> other surfers were like, he's nuts. even fellow surfers were amazed. like i'm not getting on that thing. so he lived to tell the story. that's all that matters. coming up next, the nashville stinger who can write a new song about her own heartbreak. all eyes were on a hometown hero in sarasota, florida, showing off his remarkable high wire stunts. what's next for nick wallenda? you're watching "world news now." [♪...] >> i've been training all year for the big race in chicago, but i can only afford one trip. and i just found out my best friend is getting married in l.a. there's no way i'm missing that.

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♪ that's a great song. >> i'm liking the musical choices. >> that's like the stalker's national anthem. it's a classic. if you're afraid of heights, this probably isn't the story for you. >> that's right. nick wallenda again following in his family's famous footsteps and went for a tight rope walk over sarasota, florida. from the sound of things, though, he may have gotten a little more than he bargained for. >> reporter: one very delicate step at a time. nick wallenda put one foot in

front of another, walking nearly 600 feet along a tight rope 200 feet over u.s. 41 in sarasota, florida. whether walking over a highway or more famously his stroll over niagara falls, he says it's all a challenge. >> i take them all just the same. they're all just as serious as the last. every single one i'm risking my life. it's very important that i stay focused and never get to the point of complacency. >> reporter: as his hometown crowd held its breath, an ems crew was on hand, just in case. he made his way across a wire no wider than a nickel. at one point, even taking a knee and blowing kisses to the crowd. while supervised by his father and circus workers below, responding to his every move. >> go easy with that. >> who do i need to spank when i get down? >> reporter: that wire is his

lifeline. no net, no safety tether. just balance and nerves protecting him from a 10-mile-an-hour gust of wind and the laws of gravity. and don't think he wasn't keenly aware of it. >> are they dancing down there or what? that's crazy. >> yeah, they are. i can't get your guys to move ahead enough. hold on. >> easy for you to say, hold on. i'm up here. >> reporter: despite all that, he made it look easy, finishing with a fist pump in celebration. back on the ground, nick joked about having his kids join the family business. >> absolutely not. which one of you parents out there would want to see your kids do what i do? >> there's nothing to catch him? >> no, he's out there. he's out there. no safety tethers at all. >> i don't -- >> that's brave. >> huh-huh. and now he's preparing to walk across the grand canyon? i just -- >> some people have a different genetic makeup.

they're adrenaline junkies. they get their jollies from that kind of stuff. >> but what if he falls? and he's a dad and has children? >> i get it. but don't think rationally. we're talking about the wallendas. >> it's awesome to see, but what if he falls? >> he made it. congrats. like i said, not my job. coming up, new insight into whitney houston's troubles from yet another member of her family, because we heard from her mother yesterday. also, a country star has a new song to write about her personal heartbreak. that's coming up next in "the skinny."

♪ skinny, so skinny skinny in the house! >> oh, willis. >> it is time for "the skinny." >> that was like a bird call. >> this is interesting. we just heard from whitney houston's mom yesterday, and she -- >> she has that new book coming out. >> she talked about bobby brown and how he didn't help with whitney's drug situation. but now we're hearing from whitney's brother, michael, who says that he is the one who started her on the path to

taking drugs. which is remarkable because everyone blamed bobby brown. listen to the interview he gave to oprah winfrey. >> did you introduce her to drugs? >> i would say yes. >> people thought bobby brown was the one that introduced her to the drugs. but she was already doing drugs by the time she met bobby brown? >> yeah, yeah. bobby was -- yeah, he was after. i felt responsible, i always have. i felt like i should have taken better care of her. >> that's got to be hard. >> and look at sissy, look at mom listening to the fact that one child was responsible for introducing the other child to drugs. i mean, i think that's remarkable. and oprah, she still gets these incredible interviews. people talk to the oracle. they talk to oprah. so really i think just shed lights on the entire whitney houston thing and just another layer of pain to that family.

>> considering she was such a superstar, the fact that another family member would help in the poisoning of herself is considered -- >> it's remarkable. >> and how young she left us. it's been a year next month. >> i think that was the bombshell. bobby brown took a lot of heat for starting her on the path and it wasn't bobby. >> it started in the house. >> it did. breakup news to tell you about, fellas. ashley judd is back on the market. she confirmed tuesday after 11 years of marriage, she and her husband -- >> he's back on the market. my, my. >> good-looking couple, there we go. no idea whether they're taking steps towards divorce or separation. they do not have any kids. they got married in scotland back in 2001 after being engaged for two years. again, no kids. seemed very much in love. no reason for why they're splitting up. but they said we'll always be family and continue to cherish our relationship based on the special love, integrity and respect we've always enjoyed.

>> if you had a husband that looks like, what's there to break up about? >> 11 years, that's long in hollywood terms. >> it is. i feel so terrible for ashley. chris brown, we've been talking about him, right? everyone has been tweeting me because he's in trouble yet again. >> you're not a fan? >> i'm not a fan. accused of starting a fight with frank ocean. he has come out and he says, i didn't start the fight. he posted a photo of jesus on the cross with the caption saying, painting the way i feel today. focus on what hatters. now he says no, no, no, no. i didn't do it. his attorney mark geragos is eager to have his client talk to investigators. >> oh, chris, chris, chris. let's end on a good note. that was kind of depressing. those of you that love the hit "entourage," they're going to turn it into a movie. the movie has been officially green lit. that's a scene from the final episode when it went off a few months ago. of course, the big cliffhanger is whether ari was going to take

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♪ well, unless you've been living under a rock or chained up in willis' basement, you know that sunday is the super bowl of advertising. so even if you don't like football, you can't but help and take an interest in all those commercials. >> the big game is where they try something new. this year what's new is you. abc's linsey davis explains. >> reporter: with $4 million at stake for just 30 seconds of your time during this sunday's big game, advertisers are trying anything and everything to score big. what they're banking on is this year's winning play will be putting the power into the hands

of the viewer. instead of betty white, talking babies and dogs in shoes, this year is all about interaction and social media. uperhe super bowl will be the bowl in history. they really want people involved in these ad campaigns, because there is so much pressure. there is a huge investment and they want these things to have a long shelf life. >> reporter: for the past six years, doritos has been putting their fans to work making the ads. >> will you play princess dressup with me? >> sweetheart, i would love to, but the guys are waiting for me. >> i've got doritos. ♪ >> reporter: and then having them vote on which one makes the cut. >> this is going to be fun to vote and see their vote counts. >> reporter: something other companies are catching on to. this year, audi shot three endings to this teen's prom experience. and is letting viewers vote online, selecting which one makes it to the big screen. budweiser is asking viewers to follow them on twitter to name this baby colt.

their latest addition to their famous team of clydesdales. the biggest hail mary of all, though, goes to pepsi, who bought just one ad. >> are you kidding me? >> reporter: and is using the rest of their screen time letting fans strike a pose with a can as they introduce beyonce for their halftime show. linsey davis, abc news, new york. >> beyonce, beyonce. >> i hope she sings. >> willis, come on, man, sunny has been hating on beyonce all week. you've got to let it go. >> i hope it's not a milli vanilli moment. >> a lot of hateration. >> hope we're not having a repeat performance. >> go online, show us your team spirit, everybody, coming up for the big game sunday. us your team spirit, everybody, coming up for the big game sunday.